Saturday, January 13, 2007

Jean Schmidt’s Fraud Conviction to be Reviewed by House Ethics Committee

By Nate Noy

Let’s review the facts:

(1) In April of 2006 Jean Schmidt was reprimanded by the Ohio Elections Commission for a “reckless disregard for truth” and “making false and misleading statements” for violating ORC 3517.21 by lying about her fake college degree and endorsements she never actually received.

(2) ORC 3599.42 Prima-facie case of fraud states: “A violation of any provision of Title XXXV [35] of the Revised Code constitutes a prima-facie case of fraud within the purview of such title.”

(3) The US House Committee on Standard of Official Conduct Rules 1 and 2 state:

1. A Member, officer, or employee of the House of Representatives shall conduct himself at all times in a manner which shall reflect creditably on the House of Representatives. 2. A Member, officer, or employee of the House of Representatives shall adhere to the spirit and the letter of the Rules of the House of Representatives and to the rules of duly constituted committees thereof.

(4) The Nancy Pelosi led House purports to be “cleaning up the House.” It logically follows that it will start by enforcing its own ethics rules. It also follows that a member that has been publicly reprimanded for fraud by the State Elections Commission has by definition violated both rules 1 and 2 above.

Next Steps:

The process for bringing a formal complaint is fairly complex. However, there is a clear process in place. In a nutshell a sitting member of the House must certify any complaint brought by a non-member.

So, next week I will be filing a formal complaint with the US House against Jean Schmidt for her fraud conviction. I will be sending a copy of my complaint to: Speaker Pelosi; Minority Leader John A. Boehner; the Chair of the House Committee on Standard of Official Conduct Ohioan Stephanie Tubbs Jones; and Steve Chabot.

If the House is serious about cleaning itself up it should start with its most corrupt, dishonest and incompetent member, i.e. Jean Schmidt. It should also start with a slam dunk case, which this obviously is.

I am hopeful that the Republican Party will embrace this action as well. Jean Schmidt was reprimanded for perpetrating a FRAUD on the public. Anyone that commits a fraud should be held accountable for his or her actions, and it’s time we start holding Jean Schmidt to this standard.